SC quashes NGT order seeking plant closure: Supreme Court allows garbage processing plant to continue in Pune

Closing plant won;t be in larger public interest: Supreme Court

4 min readPuneUpdated: Sep 13, 2024 07:54 AM IST

Pune plant closure, SC quashes NGT order, Supreme Court, garbage processing plant, pune municipal corporation, environmental guidelines, neeri, Indian express news

In Oct 2020, the NGT had snubbed the PMC for setting up a waste processing plant in Baner on the Pashan-Sus road and directed the civic body to close the plant and shift it to any other location within four months and to use the present site to develop a bio-diversity park. (File Photo)

In an order that will likely bring an end to citizens opposing a garbage processing plant in their vicinity, the Supreme Court Thursday quashed a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order to close a plant in Baner on the Pashan-Sus road and shift it to a new location while directing the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to take necessary steps so that residents living close to the plant do not suffer due to foul odour and that suggestions made by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) are strictly complied by.

In an order on an appeal of the PMC’s against the NGT order, the bench of Justices B R Gavai, Prashant Kumar Mishra and K V Vishwanath quashed the October 27, 2020 order of NGT directing the civic body to close and shift the waste processing plant.

“We direct the PMC to ensure that all the suggestions made by NEERI should be strictly complied with. We further direct the installation of the portable compactors with hook mechanisms by December 31 so as to ensure that the rejected waste does not touch the ground,” it said adding that the PMC was further directed to construct a bitumen road leading up to the waste segregation plant and concretise the reject area so that the clean transfer of waste can be enhanced and the accumulation of water around the plant can be avoided.

“The PMC should construct a shed so as to cover the reject area by December 31 and to carry out plantation with thick density so that there would be a green cover on all sides of the garbage processing plant,” it said while directing the state government to consider the possibility of growing Miyawaki forests to provide green lungs to nearby areas. The NEERI has been directed to conduct an environmental audit of the plant every six months.

The PMC in association with Noble Exchange Ltd (NeX) had started a waste to energy plant at Survey number 48 on Pashan-Sus Road. Citizens had complained about the foul stench emanating from the plant. The residents filed an application in the NGT, wherein the bench observed that the plant had been violating all norms of environmental laws and that it needed to be shut immediately.

The PMC had set up a plant a few years ago on reserved land for the purpose, and after that around 15 apartments and a few housing societies had come up near it.
“It can thus be seen that the 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules give preference to the on-site processing of the waste. It also emphasises preference to be given to decentralised processing to minimise transportation cost and environmental impact,” the Supreme Court said.

Story continues below this ad

It added a submission was made that 48 such plants were commissioned throughout the city, wherein the non-compacted organic waste was segregated to remove any non-biodegradable material and the organic residue was crushed to make a slurry. This was then transported to a site in Talegaon Dabhade, where raw biogas was generated from the slurry. The biogas produced was used to provide fuel for public transport buses.

“The closure of the plant will be against the larger public interest and the organic waste generated in the western part of the city Aundh, Baner, Kothrud, Sinhagad road and Katra will be required to be taken all the way throughout the city to Hadapsar which is in the eastern part of the city. This will undoubtedly lead to foul odour and nuisance to the public,” it said.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories

Loading Recommendations...

Apr 20: Latest News

Live Blog